Indian fans were waiting for this moment for a long time. Virat Kohli and his team finally gave the ultimate happiness to the followers of the religion that is cricket. India had toppled Pakistan from top Test spot. And, they have got the trophy, finally. Indian captain Virat Kohli expressed happiness at the moment as he was being presented with the ICC Test Championship mace.
“It’s an honour and a moment of great pride to receive the ICC Test Championship mace. To be recognised as the best in the traditional form of the game is as good as it gets for any team and stuff that dreams are made of,” IANS quoted Kohli after batting legend Sunil Gavaskar presented ICC Test championship mace to him.
This was the third time India rose to number 1 rankings after Virat Kohli took over as captain. He is the second captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni to have been presented with the ICC championship mace. He is the 10th in the world to receive the mace.
The ceremony happened after India won the Test match in Indore with 321 runs. India have also won the series 3-0. Gavaskar presented the mace after presentation ceremony.
Indian captain Virat Kohli had tweeted after the match. He said it was a memorable moment with brothers. He said he was proud of the champions. The longest India remained on the top of Test rankings was in Dhoni’s tenure. India remained at the top from November 2009 to August 2011. India was on the top for some time in January and February.
Gavaskar congratulated the Indian team.
“I have always believed that Test cricket tests you in every way. To come out on top over a period of time and be acknowledged as the best in this format is a big achievement. It is a result of sustained efforts in different conditions,” IANS quoted him as saying.
“I have some fine memories of Test cricket from my playing days. Taking on a top team in Test cricket was what pumped us up and certainly something that I always looked forward to,” he added.
ON TOP OF THE WORLD, AGAIN #Champions @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/71kgN2JONS
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2016
“There may be three formats of the game now but every cricketer knows that the challenge that Test cricket presents is much more and calls for a different set of skills, grit and character. I congratulate Virat and his team for this fine achievement and wish them all success in the coming years,” the little master added.
Dressing room abuzz with celebrations after becoming the No.1 Test side #TeamIndia @Paytm Test cricket pic.twitter.com/xWpAB43R5K
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2016
